Opening Bell

Greetings Conway Locally Grown Community,

Thursday brought a lovely, gentle spring rain to Falling Sky Farm, and although we’ve had a cold, wet spring so far, that little shower was much needed after a week of intensely bright, hot sunshine. On the farm tour two Fridays ago, Rusty Nuffer of Armstead Mountain Farm said something about Arkansas weather that stuck with me – “In the Arkansas hills,” he said, “when it rains you’re eight days from a drought.”

Here’s my own scholarly and scientific analysis of this Ozark farmer expression: Some of our CLG growers like Armstead and Falling Sky are located in the Ozark highlands, and the most arable land in this region is the flattest land, which happens to often be on top of the mountains and ridges. Water rolls downhill obviously, and so this fact coupled with the poor ability of sandy Ozark soils to retain water means that water flows off of mountaintop farms fairly quickly; thus, Rusty’s expression is well suited for his local hydrogeology. Brilliant I know.

On with market business. From Cedar Rock Ridge:
“Please take a look at our expanded herb selections, as always only $1. We garden organically and never use any chemicals. Herbs are cut and washed at noon on market day. You can’t beat the freshness these will add to your meals. Thank you! We have: Lavender, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme.”

I might add that I have recently started using fresh herbs in my basting sauce when grilling steaks and pork chops, and it is a really fun, aromatic technique that I highly recommend!

Another Farm Tour Opportunity!
Bluebird Hill Berry Farm is hosting a field day on June 2! I’ll let Jerry Markham tell you about it: "Plans are to have a hamburger/BBQ sandwich meal at 1:30 p.m. followed by a walking tour of the items near the headquarters. We will take a hay ride tour of the operation that is too far for people to walk. Anyone planning to attend should visit the following link and sign-up www.SignUpGenius.com/go/70A0E4CA8A929AA8-farm. Their signing up will assure that there will be enough meat prepared for their meal.

The farm is located 2.5 miles S.W. of Atkins on State Highway 324. To get here from Exit 94 on Interstate 40 you proceed south on Hwy. 105 (Church St.) crossing Hwy 64 and the RR tracks. At the stop sign on Church St. & S.W. 3rd. street turn right and travel 2.5 miles to the Bluebird Hill Berry Farm sign. Entering the address ( 3434 Bells Chapel Rd. E., Atkins, Ar. 72823 ) into a GPS system will bring you right here!"

Jerry Markham
Bluebird Hill Berry Farm
Rivervalley.locallygrown.net

The market is now open. Go to conway.locallygrown.net/market to place your order. Single click the checkout button when you’re finished, and you will receive a confirmation email once your order is placed. Have a wonderful week.

Best regards,
Gabe Levin
CLG Market Director